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Monday, May 21, 2012

Again, I apologize for my long silence. I think I need to
stop apologizing and just write more. I do not have much to say right now in
the way of fistula or Danja or work because I have been away from Niger for the
last month. We closed the hospital mid April due to the intense heat and I have
been on holiday since. It was not until I got away that I realized how much I
needed a break.

When I left, Ashley, the Browns and another couple from far
east Niger went to Park W to see the animals. It was a twelve-hour drive from
Danja to Niamey, then another two to the park. Who knew there was a place to
see wild game in Niger?! It was great though. We hired a guide when we got
there then climbed on top of our land rover and set off into the park. We
stopped close to the entrance where there was a look out and we had lunch. The
lookout was right by a river and because of the heat, this is where the animals
come. We had lunch with a large herd of elephants, two crocodiles, some baboons
which we watched move through our territory, a few warthogs, and some birds and
deer. It was a great start to our three day trip. We drove all through the park
and saw many more types of deer, buffalo and birds, but unless we were at a
water source there were no big game to be seen. To get to where we would stay
the night we had to catch a boat to take us to a small island. Ashley and I
shared an adorable cabin sitting high up on some rocks surrounded by baobab
trees. I could not have asked for a more relaxing place in Niger. It was right
on the river and we watched elephants across the river as we played rummikub to
the sound of frogs at night. Our plan was to stay there three days and explore.
The second day we decided to just stay on the island and rest. Our guide took
us on a walk through the island and we could see the damage made by the
elephants to the trees as we walked. When we hit the other side of the island
we watched as a few elephants were making their way across the river to our
side. We climbed up onto some high rocks and followed them as they made their
way through the trees and back into the river where they used their trunks as
snorkels to swim back to the other side. The rest of the day we napped and read
and played rummikub. I also learned that a great way to keep cool is if you get
your wrap wet, lay it over you with a fan blowing directly onto you and it
feels like air conditioning. I wish I would have known this earlier! Our final
day in the park we drove around on top of the vehicle again and saw a few more
deer before heading back to Niamey.

Baobab tree fruit

Our cabin

Elephants

A man and his loom

A monkey in the zoo

(I don't have pictures of the rest of my time on my computer yet)

From Niamey I hopped on a plane to Togo. I spent about three
weeks in Lome with friends who are still working on board the Africa Mercy. My
first four days there I spent at Lake Togo with a friend and we swam, played
scrabble, ate shrimps, watched football and talked. It was more than I could
have asked for. It hit me right off how much I missed this. Being able to sit
with someone who knows you and will just listen to you ramble and whatever you
say or do is fine. You can sit in silence and there is no stress. It was a
breath of fresh air.

From Lake Togo I boarded the Africa Mercy for ten days. I
still have many friends who are working for Mercy Ships and I was invited on as
a guest. It was a blessing to be somewhere with a hot shower and Dr Pepper and
friends. I felt like God had set up my time being there. I was able to reunite
with some great friends from years ago who just happened to be on board at the
same time. Many of my friends are leaving when the ship leaves Togo next month
so this may be the last time I see them for a long time. It’s funny though
because I never thought I would get to see them right now either. You never
know how or when you will be reunited with old friends.

When I left the ship, my Irish friend Jane and I spent a
week on the beach. This entailed more shrimps and much more scrabble. Lots of
time to think and hunt for shells and just sit and watch the waves. One
afternoon I was watching the water when it hit me, Danja is so quiet. I grew up
on the water and love the ocean. I love watching the waves come in and listen
to the sound of the water. Niger is so quiet. Cars and kids and the occasional
donkey, but it’s so quiet. Good or bad? Neither. Just an observation.

It was a very relaxing few weeks break before we re-open the
hospital again June 1st. Lots to do before then as we are starting
fresh in a way because we are hiring new staff and will have to retrain. I look
forward to it and I can’t wait to have the hospital up and running full time!
Again, these are all birthing pains!

My name is Sarah Walker. I am a 30 something registered nurse who had been blessed with a heart to serve the women of West Africa. In January of 2012 I will be moving to Danja, Niger to help open a VVF hospital. My heart for this continent grows daily and especially for the women I am working with. If you have any questions or would like to know more, please leave a comment with your contact information and I will get back to you. Thank you for your prayers!

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Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.